BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:45 P.M.) – Two days before the Lebanese Army began their offensive in the Ras Ba’albak region, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Hezbollah kick-started a massive operation to clear the western slopes of the Qalamoun Mountains from the so-called Islamic State (ISIL) terrorists occupying this part of the Lebanese border.

In a matter of two days, the Syrian Army and Hezbollah have liberated a large chunk of the Jarajeer Barrens, killing and wounding scores of Islamic State militants that are flanked from three different sides.

On Saturday, the Syrian Arab Army’s Republican Guard and Hezbollah continued their large-scale operation, liberating the imperative Abu Khadeir and Mass’oud valleys that are located along the Lebanese border with Syria.

Following this advance, the Syrian Army and Hezbollah pushed deeper into ISIL-occupied lands, taking control of several areas, including Sha’abat Srour, Qabr Al-‘Arsali, Khirbat Al-‘Aylat, Abu Khadeij Point, and Shalouf Point.

According to a military source in Damascus, the Syrian Army and Hezbollah now have fire control over the Lebanese border after taking control over the Shalouf Point that overlooks the Zamrani Crossing.

BEIRUT, LEBANON (5:50 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Hezbollah are rolling through the dense mountainous region along the Lebanese border, today, liberating several sites from the Islamic State (ISIL) terror organization.

Syrian Army Republican Guard units and Hezbollah commandos began the day by liberating much of the Jarajeer Barrens, paving the way for their entry into the strategic Qarah Barrens that are located at the northern tip of the Qalamoun Mountains.

Not long after entering the Qarah Barrens, the Syrian Arab Army and Hezbollah liberated a number of sites along the Lebanese border, including the Mosul Point that overlooks the Zamrani Crossing.

As a result of this advance, the Syrian Army and Hezbollah have imposed fire control over the Lebanese border, splitting up the Islamic State’s Qalamoun pocket after less than 48 hours of intense fighting.

On Saturday also, LAF General Ali Qansuh revealed that there are at least 600 ISIS fighters on the Syrian-Lebanese border controlling 120 square kilometers from Ras Balbak to Western Qalamoun. Moreover, Qansuh denied any coordination between the LAF and the SAA.

Lebanese sources claimed that many ISIS fighters surrendered to the LAF in Ras Balbak. Sources also claimed that the Lebanese Intelligence may have found the bodies of LAF soldiers executed who been by ISIS in 2014, this claimed is yet to be confirmed by Lebanese officials.

Speculation even appeared that 200 ISIS members have surrendered. However, no video or photo evidence has appeared to confirm these claims.

Many sources expected that the operations against ISIS on the Syrian-Lebanese borders won’t last long as ISIS fighters there are poorly armed, and unwilling just like Haya’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters in Arsal area before.